21 Days - The finale

It was a cloudy day. The sky was overcast with dark clouds threatening to open up anytime and rescue the people from yet another sweltering hot day. I prayed that I didn't get caught in the rain when it starts. I had just reached the driveway of the hospital when all of a sudden it started. Looked as though someone had been waiting with a bucket of water and just toppled it on my head. I entered the hospital soaking wet, the wetness already draining me of energy on what looked like a long day.

Smita's treatment was done. The course had finished. There was no blatant issues or remission episodes. On the whole, it looked like the treatment had took. But it was still too early to say anything.

I entered her room but quickly backed off when I saw the entire room packed with people. People who I had not seen the entire duration of her stay at the hospital. People who had come now, confused whether to be happy that she is leaving today or sad that it happened in the first place. Visiting someone at the hospital is a thing of timing. And people who had missed their timing had it more tough. Since whatever they do after that it will look like it was a last minute scramble.

I went about the ward checking up on the other patients but Smita was on top of my mind throughout. I wandered past her room a couple of times, but found it always occupied with people. The conversation had now drifted past the actual reason they were in the hospital and it became more or less like a impromptu family get-together. I could swear I heard someone there talk about an upcoming wedding.

It was lunchtime before I could once again get back to her room. I entered and found her sitting upright. She looked up and smiled at me.

"So...today is the big day. You are leaving the hospital. The course is done. "

"yeah it is. I am leaving today. I am so happy to leave. I can't wait for school."

I didnt have the heart to tell her that although she is leaving today, she isn't out of it completely. There is going to be checkups, tests and the whole rigmarole once again in a few months. I didnt want to break the bubble she had conjured up.

"I can understand why. It must be pretty boring here...and painful too, with all the tests, drips etc."

"Oh that..ya that too. More than that, Dad will be at home. He told me last night. He is going to be here only with me and mom. He is not going back abroad. Isnt that great?"

"Oh that's nice. " I said in a neutral tone, not sure whether to be skeptical, unsure as to how long the truce between husband and wife will hold.

The door opened and the characters in discussion stood there framed in the doorway. They both entered in, together. That's when I realized this was the first time I am seeing both of them together.

"Doctor, What time can we leave?" inquired Jayakumar.

"The report is getting ready. Dr.Arul already gave you the schedule for the testing and the follow-ups this morning right? Once the report gets ready, you can leave. Billing came back in the morning with the NDC"

"Yes, we got the schedule from him. We already fixed up the next appointments."

"Doctor?" a voice beckoned me.

The nurse was there with the discharge report in her hand. I checked the reports. 21 days of hospitalization. Hundreds of reports, pages of history, test results. I patiently checked the entire lot and signed at the end and handed over the copy to her mom.

Smita got up from the bed. I was so used to seeing her in the hospital garb that it was surprising to see her get out of the bed in an orange t-shirt and jeans. She hopped and stood in between her mom and dad, looking at both of them.

"So Smita, say bye to the doctor. It is time for us to leave." prodded her mom

"Bye doctor...thanks" Smita added.

"Bye Smita, Take care. Take the medicines at the proper time. All the best."

I watched them grab up the bags in one hand and in another the punctured hands of their kid and step out and walk the corridor.

I looked at the patient charts and saw Dr.Arul's scribble on the front.

"Extremely fragile. Handle with caution. Needs constant supervision"

I looked at them turn the end of the corridor and step out of sight...for the moment.

"Doctor, bed number 8 is vomiting heavily. "

I turned and returned to work.

Check out another story in 3 parts - Cup Of Tea